Millions of us use diesel cars on the road, but for those of us who have one, you could unwittingly end up with a heavy fine by making one costly mistake.

With diesel cars producing more toxic emissions than their petrol counterparts, by law they are fitted with a diesel particular filter.

These remove toxic particles, including soot, from exhaust fumes before they are released into the environment, in theory making them more eco-friendly.

The law has been in force for nearly 20 years, making it highly unlikely that you will find a diesel vehicle on the road without one, while they have been mandatory on new cars since 2009 as part of a drive to cut carbon dioxide emissions into the environment.

Which is a good thing, because if your car is not fitted with one, you could land yourself in hot water.

Read More

Any motorist caught without a diesel particulate filter, known as a DPF, on their cars could face a fine of up to £1,000.

For those of us with a van, it could prove even more costly, with financial penalties of up to £2,500 for anyone flouting the law.

Any DPF that has been removed or modified could also result in your car insurance becoming invalid.

While the vast majority of drivers are probably not even aware what a DPF is or does, those buying a car second hand are advised to check for it, as it will be you who incurs the penalty if you purchase a vehicle without one and you are later caught.

Read More

It is a costly item to replace if it is missing or gets broken, with the cost of a new DPF ranging from £1,000 to £3,500 depending on the manufacturer.

Always worth checking, therefore, that you have one on your car.

Want news straight to your phone?

For Somerset as a whole:Somerset Live has launched a WhatsApp group to help you keep up to date with the latest news from across the county. If you'd like to receive breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07834 893492. Then add the number to your phone contacts book as 'Somerset Live’. We will send you a maximum of four messages a day. Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group or be used for any other purpose.

For Bath:Bath Live also runs a WhatsApp group to help you keep up to date with the latest news. If you'd like to receive news alerts, save the number 07939 497390 to your phone - we recommend saving the contact as 'Bath Live News' - then send the word NEWS to us via WhatsApp. We will send you a maximum of four messages a day and your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group or used for any other purpose.